jobs

NDP Leader Gerry Rogers is concerned about the critical shortage of jobs and government’s lack of a job strategy. Rogers (MHA, St. John’s Centre) says the real unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for 20 per cent, the highest in the country.

“There is a looming jobs crisis and without a proactive strategy there is no immediate relief in sight,” Rogers said.

As the House of Assembly resumed for the Spring Session, NDP House Leader Lorraine Michael (MHA, St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) had strong words for government’s approach to employment. Not only is government harming the economy by laying people off, she says, but its lack of planning and action means the situation will be even worse.

The province’s economy is slowing, in part because of government budget cuts, says NDP St. John’s Centre MHA Gerry Rogers. Among those hurt the most by the budget are young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. As their prospects fade, she adds, we run the risk of them moving away, many of them forever.

As the House of Assembly re-opened today, NDP MHAs pressed government with questions on the looming employment deficit in the province. Statistics Canada reported 6500 job losses last month, unemployment is rising monthly, and government seems focused on further increasing the jobs crisis by slashing the public service, says NDP House Leader Lorraine Michael.

In her budget speech, Newfoundland and Labrador’s finance minister spelled out the harm the budget will cause the province’s economy. Today, in the House of Assembly, the NDP caucus demanded answers from government.